The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) for the 2025-2026 academic year offers a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for top-tier doctoral students worldwide. This fellowship, which is financed by the Government of Canada, aims to attract talented students from both domestic and international institutions who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership abilities, and innovative research skills, so come and apply for the fully funded scholarship in Canada in the year 2025-2026. For a maximum of three years, this fellowship provides a stipend of $50,000 each year to researchers working in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, engineering, or health-related fields.
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Fully Funded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Overview
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Scholarship Name: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS)
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Award Value: $50,000 per year for three years
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Available to: Canadian citizens and international students
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Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
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Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral)
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Number of Scholarships: Up to 166 per year
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Application Deadline: Before November 2025
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Managed By: CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC (Canadian funding agencies)
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Scholarship Benefits
1. Generous Financial Support
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Recipients receive $50,000 per year for a maximum of three years.
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Funds cover tuition fees, living expenses, and research costs throughout the PhD program.
2. Funding Based on Merit
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Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership abilities, and research potential.
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Partial or full funding is available depending on the strength of the applicant’s profile.
3. Flexibility in Choosing Institution
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Scholars can select any Canadian university that aligns with their research interests and academic goals.
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This allows applicants to pursue studies in an environment that best supports their chosen field.
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Eligibility Criteria For Fully Funded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
To qualify for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship 2025-2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Financial and Scholarship Rules
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Candidates may apply for both Vanier CGS and other scholarships but must choose only one if offered multiple awards.
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Applicants cannot hold doctoral scholarships or fellowships from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC during their PhD studies.
2. Academic Criteria
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Must have a first-class average in the last two years of study.
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Applicants must not have previously enrolled in or completed another PhD program.
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A detailed research proposal with a strong focus on original research is required.
3. Special Cases
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Combined Programs: Students enrolled in programs like MD/PhD or JD/PhD are eligible, but funding applies only to the PhD portion of their studies.
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Part-Time Study: Permitted for students with disabilities or family care responsibilities. Two months of part-time study equals one month of full-time study.
4. Institutional and Nomination Requirements
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Applicants must be nominated by a Canadian institution that has a Vanier CGS quota.
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Current faculty members are not eligible unless they take a leave of absence from their teaching roles.
5. Residency and Enrollment Requirements
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Applicants must be Canadian citizens or foreign students living and studying in Canada.
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They must be registered as full-time PhD students at a Canadian university.
6. Government Employees
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Canadian Federal Government employees must take unpaid leave from their jobs to qualify for the scholarship.
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Required Documents
Ensure your application package includes the following:
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Personal Leadership Statement (Max 2 pages): Highlighting leadership experience and future goals.
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Research Proposal (Max 2 pages): Clearly describing the proposed research, objectives, and methodology.
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ResearchNet Application Form: Complete with reference letters.
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Special Circumstances Statement (Optional, Max 0.5 pages): Explaining personal challenges or gaps in education.
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Canadian Common CV (CCV): As per the guidelines.
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Academic Transcripts: From all completed post-secondary studies.
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Research Contributions (Max 1 page): Summary of relevant research work.
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Project References (Max 5 pages): Cited references related to your research proposal.
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Leadership Reference Letters (Max 2 pages each): Written by referees familiar with your leadership experience.
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Application Process for the Fully Funded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
To apply for the Vanier CGS, follow these steps:
Step 1: Research and Choose Your Institution
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Visit the Universities Canada website to find institutions that match your academic and research interests.
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Ensure your chosen university has a Vanier CGS quota.
Step 2: Complete the ResearchNet Application
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Register and fill out the Vanier CGS application form on ResearchNet.
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Ensure all sections are completed and adhere to the formatting rules.
Step 3: Submit Required Documents
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Attach all mandatory documents, following formatting guidelines.
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Ensure the entire application is complete before submission.
Step 4: Submit Application to Institution
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Submit your completed application to your institution by their internal deadline.
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Institutions review and nominate candidates to the Vanier CGS program.
Step 5: Monitor Your Application Status
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Check the activity log on ResearchNet to confirm your application’s submission status.
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Institutions may allow you to resubmit if corrections are needed before the final deadline.
Step 6: Await Notification
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Successful nominees will receive notification via email and ResearchNet.
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If you do not hear back, contact the institution to follow up.
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Application Deadline
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Submission Deadline: Before November 2025.
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Institutions may have their internal deadlines well before this date. Be sure to confirm with your chosen university.
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FAQs
Can international students apply for the Vanier CGS?
Yes, both Canadian and international students are eligible to apply.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annually.
What is the total value of the scholarship?
The scholarship offers $50,000 per year for three years, totaling $150,000.
Can I apply for other scholarships simultaneously?
Yes, but you must choose only one if you receive multiple offers.
How will I know if I am nominated?
You will be notified via ResearchNet and email if you are nominated.